The visiting Pittsburgh Riverhounds spoiled Toronto FC II’s home opener at the Ontario Soccer Centre Wednesday evening as they came away with a 2-0 win against Your Reds.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielder Kevin Kerr scored his seventh goal of the season in the 9th minute. A long throw-in by the Riverhounds caused a bit of chaos in TFC II’s box and Kerr was able to pounce on the loose ball and put it past TFC II goalkeeper Alex Bono.
Pittsburgh’s second goal of the match came in stoppage time. With TFC II looking for an equalizer in the dying minutes of the match, goalkeeper Alex Bono was sent in to join a TFC II corner.
On the ensuing clearance, Pittsburgh defender Anthony Arena was sent in alone behind the trailing TFC II defenders and goalkeeper Alex Bono and made no mistake, tapping the ball into the empty net and securing the three points for the Riverhounds.
TFC II best opportunity came in the first half via defender Mark-Anthony Kaye. Kaye found a bit of space and released a left-footed strike from just inside the left corner of Pittsburgh’s box that just missed the near post.
Young Players Step Up
Although TFC II failed to secure the victory, Head Coach Jason Bent was impressed with some of the younger players that filled in positions left vacant by those that were called up by Canada for the Pan Am Games.
“A lot of positives from the young boys that stepped in. A big part of this team is to give them a chance,” said Head Coach Jason Bent following the loss.
“Liam Fraser, Gabby Boakye, Malik Johnson, did really well tonight. They didn’t show any nerves and settled into the game so that was pleasing to see,” he added.
This match marked the debut of midfielder Malik Johnson and was only the second match and first start for defender Gabriel Boakye.
TFC II takes on Rochester Rhinos this Saturday, July 11th at the Ontario Soccer Centre at 3:00PM ET. Follow along on Twitter @TorontoFCII using the hashtag #TFCLive and watch the action via livestream at torontofc.ca/live
Scoring Summary
PIT – Kevin Kerr 9’ (Fejieo Okiomah)
PIT – Anthony Arena 90’ + 3’
Misconduct Summary
PIT – Danny Earls 30’ (caution)
PIT – Drew Russell 82’ (caution)
Records:
Toronto FC II: 3-6-3 12pts.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds: 7-5-4 25pts.
Lineups
Toronto FC II – Alex Bono; Mark-Anthony Kaye, Daniel Fabrizi, Skylar Thomas ©, Gabriel Boakye; Luca Uccello, Liam Fraser, Marcos Nunes (Anthony Osorio 70’), Malik Johnson (Stefan Vukovic 70’), Massimo Mirabelli, Jordan Hamilton (Edwin Rivas 83’)
Substitutes Not Used: Phil Bernardo, Mark Serjeant, Marcus Godinho, Emeka Okonye
Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Calle Brown; William Hunt, Sterling Flundee, Anthony Arena, Fejieo Okiomah; Kevin Kerr, Stephen Okai (Matt Dallman 67’), Danny Earls, Rob Vincent; Michael Green, Meio Cabrilo (Drew Russell 70’)
Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Hulings, Seth C’DeBacca, Lebo MoLoto, Boris Zivanovic, Vini Dantas
